WORCESTER amateur boxers were in action at the Midland novice semi-finals.

Super-heavyweight Ashley James was one of the stars, beating Telford’s Alex Bloomer on points for the third successive time.

James set his stall out early and battered Bloomer to two standing counts in the first round.

Hard combinations hit the brave Shropshire fighter who showed great courage to strike back.

In complete control during rounds one and two, James almost stopped his opponent several times.

Bloomer again fought back, refusing to give in and, as the bout reached its final stages, he finished the stronger of the two.

But he left it far too late to impress the judges who gave a comprehensive nod to James on points.

He now faces powerhouse Josh Mitchell, of Wye ABC, in the final at Ludlow on Friday.

Boxing in the 60 to 64kg category, Dan Davies was up against the more experienced Dean Evans, of Wye.

Two-fisted attacks from Davies put Evans on the back foot from the beginning. Evans blocked most with his high guard and was patient to counter with straight lefts and rights.

As the bout progressed, Evans scored well with the cleaner punches against a sometimes untidy Davies.

Hard body punching from Davies slowed up Evans momentarily but he soon bounced back with sharp jabs.

At the final bell, Davies was extremely fortunate to go through with a majority verdict.

Great determination by Worcester’s Michael Mooney in the 56 to 60kgs class was not enough against the fast-punching John Hamilton, of Telford.

Mooney started well but was consistently picked off by jabs in his desire to press forward and force the fight.

A third-round knockdown by Mooney’s right hand was not enough as a split decision went the way of his opponent.

Worcester light-middleweight Amar Hussain was gifted a walkover to the finals after his opponent was unable to make the weight.